SFY Boxset statement from Universal

[Gordon Machray]

I'm aware there has been a lot of discussion around the release of the SFY boxset, it's contents and quality. Today I received a response on some of the questions from Universal "A message from Universal regarding the recent Street Fighting Years boxset to address questions that have been raised here and on other forums. "Street Fighting Years: Remastering - This reissue was mastered by Simon Gibson at Abbey Road Studios in November 2018. So, unfortunately, the press release mentioning Andrew Walters was incorrect. The raw transfers from the master tapes included several defects which required fixing. For example, there was tape judder and volume drop-outs on two of the tracks, which were fixed by Simon Gibson. These problems were not on the 2002 remasters, being artefacts on the 1989 masters. Therefore this release is actually a remastering of the original master tapes. (This is the case with all the previous Simple Minds Super Deluxe editions – the original masters are always used when available). There’s been fan feedback where they’ve said they’ve heard new musical elements on the album thanks to the new remastering.

Verona The distortion problems with the last 4 tracks - The first stereo mix-down of the Verona concert was used for this project. This material was listened to many times over – and pops, clicks, distortion etc. were removed – but the issues reported, especially timing issues with the last four tracks, were not noticed. The intention is always to transfer the stereo mixes of concerts direct to CD with minimal intervention i.e. no edits, no remixing etc. What is on the CDs is on the original tapes. Again, we’ve received fan feedback where the live CDs has been praised, and they’re happy with the material.

The missing tracks from Verona - The tapes used were the most complete stereo mix of the concert available in the archive. This was the first step towards the production of the Verona video back in 1990. The “missing” four tracks were the first to be left out of this process – it wasn’t a decision made when we were compiling the box-set, but one by the band, producer and/or management at the time.

The press releases were clear that this was “most of the previously unissued Verona show from 1989.” It wasn’t advertised as the complete show."

[Oliver Tully]

There's certainly something not right with the mix of East at Easter. Comparing it to the flawless version on the b side of let there be love it sounds flat and lifeless, like it came off of a tape that was stretched to the point of breaking over the years.

Disappointing also to hear that missing tracks were turfed back in the day.

Still doesn't excuse the mislabelling of theme for great cities (90?), and the start of SFY live appearing at the end of when spirits rise. Hell I could've done better breaking up the tracks with the free audio software I have...

In fact for anyone who has the Manchester '82 soundboard in their collection, I procured this particular recording maybe 15 years ago from someone who was given it by the band in' 82, and shared it with the wider fan base (you're welcome), but before I did so I fixed the intro of NGD as it wasn't present on the tape. Luckily they played it twice at the gig, so was able to cut and paste the intro from the encore version to the version that opened the gig. See Universal, its not hard to get shit right...